Frequently Asked Questions
Everything to know before booking a Chicago event content creator: pricing, deliverables, booking process, travel, photographer overlap, timing, and day-of coverage answered.
Pricing
What it costs and how the numbers work.
How much does a content creator cost in Chicago?
Wedding content packages start at $1,950 for The Classic Cut, with our most popular package (Signature Series) at $2,650 and The Full Story at $3,950. Mitzvah and corporate coverage is custom-quoted based on hours and scope, typically in the same range. Full pricing is published on our pricing page so you can compare without booking a call first.
Do you have set package pricing or is everything custom?
Weddings have three set packages on the pricing page. Mitzvahs, corporate events, brand activations, and multi-day coverage are quoted custom because hours, deliverables, and turnaround vary. Either way, you see the full scope and price in writing before you commit.
What's included in my package?
Every package includes on-site coverage, a full unedited raw gallery, edited recap reels delivered the same week, and a pre-event planning call. The number of hours, reels, and extras depends on which package you pick. Enhancements (rehearsal dinner, second shooter, rush delivery, montages) layer on top.
Do you require a deposit, and what's the payment schedule?
A 25% retainer locks in your date when you sign the contract. The remaining balance is due two weeks before the event. We accept card, bank transfer, and Stripe. Multi-event bookings can be split into a custom payment plan.
What happens if my event runs long?
We're flexible. If coverage extends past your booked hours, additional time is billed at $150 per hour in full-hour increments. We always check with you or your coordinator before going over so it's never a surprise on the invoice.
Are there hidden fees for travel, parking, or vendor meals?
No hidden fees. Travel inside Chicagoland is included. Destination events outside the metro area are quoted with travel and lodging upfront. Vendor meals are appreciated for events over 6 hours but never required.
Deliverables
What you actually get after your event, in what format, and where.
What do I actually receive after the event?
A full unedited raw footage gallery (every clip, organized and downloadable), edited vertical recap reels formatted for Instagram and TikTok, and any enhancements you booked (Story takeover, montage, rehearsal dinner coverage). Everything is delivered through a private online gallery with download links.
Will my content be vertical, horizontal, or both?
Vertical-first, because that's what performs on Instagram Reels, TikTok, and Stories. We can also shoot select moments horizontally for landscape use (LinkedIn, websites, slideshow displays) if you let us know in advance during the planning call.
How many edited recap reels do I get?
One vertical highlight reel with The Classic Cut. Two reels (one highlight plus one 30 second to 1 minute reel) with Signature Series. Three reels plus custom trending audio with The Full Story. Mitzvah and corporate packages are scoped to the event.
Can you post directly to my Instagram or TikTok?
Yes. Same-day Instagram Story takeover is included with The Full Story and available as an enhancement for The Classic Cut and Signature Series. For corporate events, we can hand clips to your social manager in real time or post directly to your channels with login access.
Do you provide raw footage, and can I edit it myself later?
Yes. Every package includes the full unedited raw gallery, organized and ready to download. You own the footage and can re-edit, repurpose, or share it however you like.
How long do you keep my gallery online?
Galleries stay live for 90 days minimum. We recommend downloading everything within the first 30 days for safekeeping. Extended hosting is available on request.
Booking & Process
How a booking actually goes, start to finish.
How do I book Gott You Media for my event?
Fill out the inquiry form on the contact page or send a DM on Instagram. We respond within 24 hours, hop on a quick 15 minute call to learn about your event, and then send you a custom pricing page with everything to review, sign, and lock in your date with the retainer.
What happens after I sign the contract?
Your date is locked. We add you to our planning calendar and send a welcome email with the pre-event questionnaire (timeline, vendors, must-capture moments, social handles, vibe). About two weeks out, we do a pre-event call to align on the shot list and any final details.
Do you do a pre-event planning call?
Yes, always. About two weeks before the event, we get on a call to walk through the timeline, the moments that matter most to you, your social posting strategy, and any sensitive coverage notes (estranged family, surprise reveals, etc). It's how we show up ready to capture exactly what you want.
What if I need to reschedule my event?
Plans change. As soon as you know, let us know and we'll work to move your date. Your retainer transfers to the new date as long as we have availability. If the new date doesn't work for our calendar, we'll refund the retainer or apply it to a future booking.
Can I add or remove services after I book?
Yes. Enhancements (rehearsal dinner, montage, extra hours, second shooter) can be added up to two weeks before the event. Removals require more notice because we may have already turned down conflicting bookings.
Travel & Service Area
Where we work and what travel looks like.
Where are you based and what areas do you serve?
We're based in Arlington Heights, Illinois, and we serve all of Chicagoland: downtown Chicago, the North Shore (Highland Park, Northbrook, Deerfield, Glencoe, Winnetka, Wilmette, Evanston), Naperville, Schaumburg, Oak Brook, Lake Forest, Rosemont, Lombard, Buffalo Grove, Palatine, and the surrounding suburbs.
Do you travel for destination weddings and events?
Yes. We've covered events across the Midwest, in resort destinations, and internationally. Travel and lodging are quoted upfront and included in your contract so there are no surprises.
Is travel inside Chicagoland an extra charge?
No. Travel inside Chicagoland is included in every package. Out-of-area events (Lake Geneva, Galena, Michigan, etc.) include a travel line item that we quote upfront.
Do you cover events in venues outside Chicago?
Absolutely. We work in suburbs across the metro and travel regionally. If your venue is outside Illinois, mention it in your inquiry and we'll quote travel and timing in your custom proposal.
Photographer & Videographer
How we fit alongside the rest of your visual team.
What's the difference between a content creator and a videographer?
A videographer produces a single polished cinematic film delivered weeks or months after the event. A content creator captures vertical, social-first clips (Instagram Reels, TikTok-ready videos, behind-the-scenes moments) designed for sharing in real time and delivered within days. Different deliverables, different timelines, different purposes.
Do I still need a photographer if I have a content creator?
Yes. A photographer captures the polished portraits, the formal family shots, the editorial gallery you'll print and frame. We capture the candid in-between moments, the social-ready vertical clips, and the behind-the-scenes energy. Different jobs, both worth having for a wedding or major celebration.
Do I need a videographer too, or is a content creator enough?
It depends on what you want. If you want a 10 to 20 minute cinematic film of your wedding day, you need a videographer. If you want a steady stream of social-ready content delivered in days, you need a content creator. Many couples book both. We can also deliver a full cinematic film as an enhancement if you'd rather have one team.
Will you get in the way of my photographer or videographer?
No. We coordinate with your other vendors before the day, stay out of their key shots, and use our smaller iPhone setup to move quickly without crowding them. Most photographers and videographers actually love working with us because we share footage afterward.
Can you deliver a full cinematic wedding film?
Yes, as an enhancement. Our standalone Ever After Montages are 5 to 10 minute cinematic films built around your story. We can also produce a longer wedding film if you'd rather book one team for both. Mention it on the planning call and we'll scope it into your package.
Timing & Turnaround
When to book and when you'll see your content.
How fast do I get my content after the event?
Raw footage is delivered within 24 hours of your event (12 hours for Signature Series and The Full Story packages). Edited recap reels are delivered that same week. Need it faster? We offer rush delivery enhancements for both.
How early should I book a content creator for my wedding?
Most couples book us 6 to 12 months out, especially for peak season (May through October). Popular Saturday dates fill 9 to 12 months in advance. Off-season and weekday weddings can sometimes be booked closer in. If your date is within 60 days, reach out anyway, we keep a short-notice list.
How early should we book for a bar or bat mitzvah?
Mitzvah dates are usually set 12 to 18 months in advance. We recommend booking 6 to 12 months out, especially for spring and fall dates and weekends with multiple celebrations across the North Shore. Earlier is better for popular Saturdays.
Is rush delivery available?
Yes. 48 hour recap reel turnaround is available as an enhancement for any package. Same-day clips are available for corporate events, brand launches, and time-sensitive campaigns. We quote rush at the time of booking.
Can you deliver content the same night?
Yes, with a Same-day Instagram Story Takeover enhancement. We post curated clips to your Story throughout the event so guests can react and share in real time, and you wake up the next morning with a full raw gallery on top of it.
Day-of Coverage
What it actually looks like when we show up.
What does a content creator actually do at my event?
We arrive 15 to 30 minutes early, check in with your planner or coordinator, and quietly start capturing. Throughout the day we shoot vertical reels, candid moments, behind-the-scenes clips, guest reactions, dance floor energy, and the in-between beats your photo and video team don't focus on. We move fast, stay out of the way, and never break the vibe.
What equipment do you bring?
We shoot primarily on iPhone with professional stabilization, external audio, and cinematic mode. This gives our content the authentic, scroll-stopping look that performs best on social media. We also bring backup phones, batteries, lighting for low-light receptions, and a small mirrorless camera as a backup for key moments.
What do you wear and how do you blend in with guests?
We dress for the event: cocktail attire for weddings, business or business-casual for corporate, themed if the celebration calls for it. Our setup is small enough that we look more like a guest with a phone than a vendor with a camera, which is exactly the point. People stay relaxed.
How do you handle low-light receptions and dance floors?
We bring portable LED lighting for dim venues, use cinematic mode for clean low-light footage, and adjust our framing to capture the energy without blowing out the room. Dance floors and candle lit moments are some of our favorite shots.
Do you bring a second shooter or backup creator?
A second shooter is included in The Full Story and available as an enhancement for any package. For events with parallel coverage needs (getting ready in two locations, simultaneous ceremony and cocktail hour, large mitzvahs with separate adult and kid spaces), we recommend the enhancement so nothing gets missed.
What if it rains, snows, or the venue changes last minute?
We adapt. We've shot in rain, snow, 95 degree heat, and venues that flipped layouts an hour before guests arrived. As long as we know about the change, we adjust the shot list and keep capturing. Weather doesn't cancel coverage.
Have more questions? Reach out or explore: Services · Pricing · Wedding Coverage · Mitzvah Coverage